Pink Ribbon Ladies' Night Out a Success

St. James Parish Hospital recently hosted its annual Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Night Out at the St. James Parish Boat Club. This year’s theme was “Ms. Pink Ribbon—Beauties Beating the Odds” and the sold-out venue was transformed into a pageant-scene complete with sequins, pearls and a few of the parish’s very own queens. This year’s Signature Sponsors included Baton Rouge Radiology Group, Motiva and Mosaic.

Ladies’ Night Out was an overwhelming success as over 700 women came for a night of sisterhood and lifesaving education. Upon arrival, attendees were each given a custom bag imprinted with sponsor names, a pair of pink ribbon socks and fleece gloves and a women’s health planner gift set. Survivors were directed to a V.I.P. table and were each given a small tiara so that attendees could easily spot those that battled the disease.

Attendees were treated to a mini health fair which included several vendors promoting breast cancer education and offering resources to those affected by cancer. St. James Parish Hospital’s Digital Radiology Department, Cancer Services of Baton Rouge, the American Cancer Society and the Komen for the Cure Foundation were among the participants. After visiting educational booths, volunteers and hospital employees took on their role of waiters and served each lady a delicious meal.

Then agenda began with a prayer followed by St. James Parish Hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt, dressed in a sequined evening gown, welcoming the audience. The educational speakers of the night were the hospital’s Mammography Techs and Dr. Rachel Bezdek, OBGYN from Rue de Sante Women’s Center, who performs surgeries at St. James Parish Hospital. Dr. Bezdek began with statistics about breast Cancer and went on to describe how healthier lifestyles for women could reduce their risk. Dr. Bezdek also described the best methods for early detection.

Kassie Roussel, Director of Marketing, was next invited to the stage to discuss the Susan G. Komen Grant the hospital receives to help educate our community and offer women in the parish free breast screenings. Donations from the event benefit this foundation and this year, Ladies’ Night Out helped raise over $2,400 for the Bayou Region Affiliate of the Komen for the Cure Foundation. Seventy-five percent of this money stays in our community.

The survivor portion of the program began with an upbeat address by local survivor Ann Louque who spoke about her battle through the disease and how it made her stronger. Breast cancer survivors were then called individually by name and years of survivorship to the stage. After all survivors were together on stage, everyone referenced lyric sheets and sang a survivor song together.

Immediately following such an empowering dedication, the final speaker of the event was called to stage. Suzette Bowen, Motivational Speaker and Founder and CEO of Couples’ Care Center, discussed how to create positive outcomes out of painful life events. The night concluded as the audience and sponsors were thanked and reminded about ticket sales for next year.

The outpouring of support from sponsors was unbelievable. The hospital would like to once again thank each of the many businesses that contributed and helped make its event a success. Each sponsor was announced at the event and can be viewed on the Hospital’s Facebook Page within the 2014 Pink Ribbon Album. Special thanks go out to the event’s top level Signature and Tiara Sponsors. Donating $3,000 and above included: Baton Rouge Radiology Group, Motiva and Mosaic. Donating $1,500 included Entergy, Peoples Health and Zephyr Anesthesia.

The hospital also thanks the companies and organizations that donated time or services to our event: St. James Boat Club, Spuddy’s, St. James Parish Meals on Wheels, Motiva, River Parish Tent Rentals, St. James Parish Queens, the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Department and all door prize donors. Lastly, without amazing volunteers and wonderful staff this event would not be possible.

For more information on upcoming events, visit the hospital’s Facebook page or website www.sjph.org.